The Pavlov Poke Painfully Prevents Mindless Internet Browsing
Meghan Young — August 25, 2013 — Art & Design
References: robertrmorris.org & theverge
People are living in an age of distraction thanks to the constant companionship of such devices as smartphones, the Pavlov Poke hopes to change that, at least in one small way. It is essentially an electroshock deterrent that "converts mindless browsing into pain," as aptly put by Fashion Co. Design. Inspired by Russian psychologist Ivan Pavlov's conditioned reflex experiments, the Pavlov Poke sends a shock through a custom keyboard rest that is hooked up to a person's computer.
Created by two friends studying at the MIT Media Lab, Robert Morris and Dan McDuff, the Pavlov Poke is made up of an Arduino and electrodes. When it detects that a person has been on a distracting site like Facebook too often, the Pavlov Poke is triggered.
Created by two friends studying at the MIT Media Lab, Robert Morris and Dan McDuff, the Pavlov Poke is made up of an Arduino and electrodes. When it detects that a person has been on a distracting site like Facebook too often, the Pavlov Poke is triggered.
Trend Themes
1. Distraction-reducing Devices - The trend of creating devices that aim to reduce distractions and increase productivity are on the rise, especially devices that shock or physically interrupt the user's behavior.
2. Pain-inducing Technology - Pain-inducing technology remains a disruptive trend in the world of technology, as seen in products like the Pavlov Poke.
3. Conditioned Reflex Technology - More technology is being developed that aims to condition users to develop better habits, like the Pavlov Poke's approach that sends a shock when a certain bad habit is detected.
Industry Implications
1. Consumer Electronics - The consumer electronics industry is constantly looking for new ways to provide value to consumers, and creating distraction-reducing devices could be a lucrative avenue for manufacturers.
2. Health and Wellness - Pain-inducing technology like the Pavlov Poke has potential applications in the health and wellness industry, as it could be used to help people overcome bad habits or addictions.
3. Education - As new technology emerges in the education industry, there may be opportunities to incorporate conditioned reflex technology like the Pavlov Poke to help students develop better study habits.
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